1. GFMEDC semi-annual report - Laserfiche WebLink

GREATER FargoiMoorhead Economic Development Corporation Activity Report January— November 2013 Objective 1: Retain and expand existing major employers • Conducted 143 business retention visits • Assisted in 36 business projects relating to expansion and retention opportunities Assisted companies with primary sector certification process — 13 Assisted companies with property tax exemption process—6 Assisted companies with corporate income tax exemption process—6 Assisted companies with sales tax exemption process —8 Assisted companies with automation tax credit process —8 Assisted companies with ND New Jobs Training Program —22 Assisted companies with state financing programs — 19 • Referred numerous companies to GFMEDC workforce development staff to follow up on issues stated in business retention visits. • Organized and attended a meeting between a new primary sector company and staff of ND Development Fund. • Facilitated introductions for two existing companies with other Fargo companies to improve efficiencies and improve bottom line. • Visited with a company and connected them with the ND Development Fund. • Supplied information to several area companies on the Foreign Trade Zone. • Attended meetings with six business bankers to discuss GFMEDC and learn about applicable programs, incentives, etc. • Continue to develop and organize the sector breakfast panel discussion for the Governor's Summit. • Met with Steve Scheel regarding a community program they are working on. • Developed a Smartbook communication piece, which is a workbook that highlights and explains some of the incentives in both North Dakota and Minnesota. Held a reception for area commercial real estate brokers to inform them of various programs, incentives and services our agency provides. Provided copies of our new Smartbook. Met with six banks and their staff to introduce the Smartbook. • Met with Mike Hahn and Mark Nisbet regarding the Downtown Community Partnership-Xcel Energy proposal. • Dakota Fiber Initiative Objective 2: Attract new businesses to Fargo Moorhead and help entrepreneurs start new businesses GFMEDC has worked on 29 new business development projects thus far in 2013. The projects were in the following industries: Back Office— 4 Distribution —5 IT-5 Life Sciences—5 Manufacturing —7 Physical Sciences— 1 Value Added Ag —2